Myofascial trigger points， as hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscle， can induce local or referred pain， and show a high degree of similarity to acupoints in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， particularly the so-called sinew knot lesion point. From the perspective of channel sinew theory， and by examining the correlations of myofascial trigger points with acupoints and channel sinew disorders， this study aims to compare the similarities and differences between MTrPs and sinew knot lesion points in terms of pathological mechanisms， needling analgesic mechanisms， and therapeutic approaches. The goal is to deepen the understanding of MTrPs and dry needling， and provide a modern scientific perspective on channel sinew theory and the sinew knot lesion point.

Myofascial trigger points， as hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscle， can induce local or referred pain， and show a high degree of similarity to acupoints in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， particularly the so-called sinew knot lesion point. From the perspective of channel sinew theory， and by examining the correlations of myofascial trigger points with acupoints and channel sinew disorders， this study aims to compare the similarities and differences between MTrPs and sinew knot lesion points in terms of pathological mechanisms， needling analgesic mechanisms， and therapeutic approaches. The goal is to deepen the understanding of MTrPs and dry needling， and provide a modern scientific perspective on channel sinew theory and the sinew knot lesion point.

Objective To elucidate the independent risk factors for AF in elderly patients with HF,develop a nomogram prediction model,and assess its predictive value for AF in elderly HF pa-tients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 299 patients of first HF hospitalization in Hengshui People's Hospital from June 2019 to December 2023,and based on the presence or absence of AF,they were divided into an AF group(133 cases)and a non-AF group(166 cases).The patients admitted from June 2019 to December 2022 were assigned into a modeling cohort(206 cases),while those from January 2023 to December 2023 into a validation cohort(93 cases).The general data were collected.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the modeling cohort to identify the independent predictors of AF in elderly HF patients,and a nomo-gram prediction model was constructed.ROC curve,calibration curve and clinical decision curve analyses were applied to evaluate the discrimination,calibration and clinical practicability of the prediction model.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the etiology of HF(CHD vs HP,OR=0.610,95％CI:0.301-1.250,P=0.178;CMD vs HP,OR=0.213,95％CI:0.052-0.883,P=0.033),LAD(OR=1.081,95％CI:1.020-1.152,P=0.015),HF classifi-cation(HFmrEF vs HFrEF,OR=5.897,95％CI:2.448-14.201,P=0.000;HFpEF vs HFrEF,OR=7.211,95％CI:2.522-20.640,P=0.001),pre-albumin(PALB)(OR=0.438,95％CI:0.217-0.901,P=0.030),UAC(OR=2.186,95％CI:1.075-4.430,P=0.025),and direct biliru-bin(DBi)(OR=4.531,95％CI:2.052-9.990,P=0.000)were independent risk factors for AF in the elderly HF patients.ROC curve analysis showed the AUC value of the prediction model based on these factors in the modeling cohort was 0.831,and the AUC value in the validation cohort was 0.840.Decision curve analysis indicated that the model possessed clinical practicability within a probability threshold range of 10％-82％for the modeling cohort and 12％-100％for the vali-dation cohort.Conclusion Our nomogram prediction model based on multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis exhibits good predictive value for the occurrence of AF in elderly HF patients,and can facilitate clinical decision-making on diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of the brain functional networks in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) while at rest and to correlate them with motor functioning.Methods:Thirty-six children with SCP were enrolled as the SCP group, while thirty-four age-matched healthy children were recruited as the control group (the HC group). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to detect changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the children′s cerebral cortex while at rest. The left prefrontal cortex (LPFC), right prefrontal cortex (RPFC), left motor cortex (LMC), and right motor cortex (RMC) were selected as regions of interest. Phase locking values (PLVs) were used to evaluate the strength of functional connectivity (FC) among these brain regions, and graph theory methods were applied to analyze the topological properties of the brain networks. Motor functioning was assessed using the gross motor function measure (GMFM).Results:The analyses of FC strength revealed that the SCP group had significantly weaker FC among all of the regions of interest while at rest compared to the HC group. Their PLVs for LPFC-RPFC, LPFC-RMC, RPFC-RMC and LMC-RMC connectivity were all significantly smaller. Graph theory analysis showed that the SCP group had significantly lower global efficiency (GE) and smaller clustering coefficients (CCs) and network density (D), while their characteristic path lengths were significantly longer. According to the correlation analysis, the PLVs for LMC-RMC connections in the SCP group were positively correlated with their scores on dimensions D and E of the GMFM ( r=0.496 and r=0.579 respectively). GE ( r=0.587 and r=0.642) and CC ( r=0.318 and r=0.759) showed similar significant positive correlations with GMFM dimensions D and E. Conclusions:At rest, the functional networks in the brains of children with SCP exhibit abnormalities closely associated with their motor dysfunction.

An increasing number of studies have shown that there is a close relationship between Alzheimer's disease(AD)and diabetes mellitus(DM).Traditional Chinese medicine holds that"kidney yin deficiency"is the common pathogenesis of these two diseases,while modern medicine believes that their pathogenesis involves abnormal aggregation of amyloid proteins,insulin deficiency and resistance,inflammatory response,oxidative stress,and autophagy,among others.The well-known traditional Chinese medicine formula Liuwei Dihuang Pills plays a significant role in the treatment of these two diseases with the same therapeutic approach.Therefore,this article will explore the connection between Liuwei Dihuang Pills and the treatment of AD and DM from different aspects;analyze the common etiology and pathogenesis of AD and DM,and explain the mechanism of prevention and treatment of Liuwei Dihuang Pills,with the aim of providing new ideas and methods for the integrated traditional and Western medicine prevention and treatment of AD and DM in the future.

An increasing number of studies have shown that there is a close relationship between Alzheimer's disease(AD)and diabetes mellitus(DM).Traditional Chinese medicine holds that"kidney yin deficiency"is the common pathogenesis of these two diseases,while modern medicine believes that their pathogenesis involves abnormal aggregation of amyloid proteins,insulin deficiency and resistance,inflammatory response,oxidative stress,and autophagy,among others.The well-known traditional Chinese medicine formula Liuwei Dihuang Pills plays a significant role in the treatment of these two diseases with the same therapeutic approach.Therefore,this article will explore the connection between Liuwei Dihuang Pills and the treatment of AD and DM from different aspects;analyze the common etiology and pathogenesis of AD and DM,and explain the mechanism of prevention and treatment of Liuwei Dihuang Pills,with the aim of providing new ideas and methods for the integrated traditional and Western medicine prevention and treatment of AD and DM in the future.

Objective To elucidate the independent risk factors for AF in elderly patients with HF,develop a nomogram prediction model,and assess its predictive value for AF in elderly HF pa-tients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 299 patients of first HF hospitalization in Hengshui People's Hospital from June 2019 to December 2023,and based on the presence or absence of AF,they were divided into an AF group(133 cases)and a non-AF group(166 cases).The patients admitted from June 2019 to December 2022 were assigned into a modeling cohort(206 cases),while those from January 2023 to December 2023 into a validation cohort(93 cases).The general data were collected.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the modeling cohort to identify the independent predictors of AF in elderly HF patients,and a nomo-gram prediction model was constructed.ROC curve,calibration curve and clinical decision curve analyses were applied to evaluate the discrimination,calibration and clinical practicability of the prediction model.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the etiology of HF(CHD vs HP,OR=0.610,95％CI:0.301-1.250,P=0.178;CMD vs HP,OR=0.213,95％CI:0.052-0.883,P=0.033),LAD(OR=1.081,95％CI:1.020-1.152,P=0.015),HF classifi-cation(HFmrEF vs HFrEF,OR=5.897,95％CI:2.448-14.201,P=0.000;HFpEF vs HFrEF,OR=7.211,95％CI:2.522-20.640,P=0.001),pre-albumin(PALB)(OR=0.438,95％CI:0.217-0.901,P=0.030),UAC(OR=2.186,95％CI:1.075-4.430,P=0.025),and direct biliru-bin(DBi)(OR=4.531,95％CI:2.052-9.990,P=0.000)were independent risk factors for AF in the elderly HF patients.ROC curve analysis showed the AUC value of the prediction model based on these factors in the modeling cohort was 0.831,and the AUC value in the validation cohort was 0.840.Decision curve analysis indicated that the model possessed clinical practicability within a probability threshold range of 10％-82％for the modeling cohort and 12％-100％for the vali-dation cohort.Conclusion Our nomogram prediction model based on multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis exhibits good predictive value for the occurrence of AF in elderly HF patients,and can facilitate clinical decision-making on diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of the brain functional networks in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) while at rest and to correlate them with motor functioning.Methods:Thirty-six children with SCP were enrolled as the SCP group, while thirty-four age-matched healthy children were recruited as the control group (the HC group). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to detect changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the children′s cerebral cortex while at rest. The left prefrontal cortex (LPFC), right prefrontal cortex (RPFC), left motor cortex (LMC), and right motor cortex (RMC) were selected as regions of interest. Phase locking values (PLVs) were used to evaluate the strength of functional connectivity (FC) among these brain regions, and graph theory methods were applied to analyze the topological properties of the brain networks. Motor functioning was assessed using the gross motor function measure (GMFM).Results:The analyses of FC strength revealed that the SCP group had significantly weaker FC among all of the regions of interest while at rest compared to the HC group. Their PLVs for LPFC-RPFC, LPFC-RMC, RPFC-RMC and LMC-RMC connectivity were all significantly smaller. Graph theory analysis showed that the SCP group had significantly lower global efficiency (GE) and smaller clustering coefficients (CCs) and network density (D), while their characteristic path lengths were significantly longer. According to the correlation analysis, the PLVs for LMC-RMC connections in the SCP group were positively correlated with their scores on dimensions D and E of the GMFM ( r=0.496 and r=0.579 respectively). GE ( r=0.587 and r=0.642) and CC ( r=0.318 and r=0.759) showed similar significant positive correlations with GMFM dimensions D and E. Conclusions:At rest, the functional networks in the brains of children with SCP exhibit abnormalities closely associated with their motor dysfunction.

Objective:This study aimed to assess left atrial function in adults across various age groups using 4-dimensional automated left atrial quantification(4D Auto LAQ)technology.The study also aimed to compare the differences in two-dimensional(2D)and four-dimensional(4D)strains of the left atrium among different age groups, with the goal of enhancing the clinical utility of 4D Auto LAQ.Methods:A total of 409 healthy volunteers were recruited for the research.Two-dimensional and four-dimensional images were obtained using a GE Vivid E95 ultrasound system with a 4Vc four-dimensional probe.The study examined variations in 2D and 4D ultrasound parameters across various age groups.Furthermore, the relationship between left atrial reservoir strain(LASr), Left atrial conduit strain(LAScd), left atrial contraction strain(LASct), and age was explored.Results:The study involved 409 volunteers, with 217 males and 192 females, who were categorized into three age groups: young(18-45 years, n=56), middle-aged(46-65 years, n=202), and elderly(>65 years, n=151).Conventional ultrasound measurements indicated changes in left atrial anterior-posterior diameter with age progression: (31.70±3.65)mm for the young group, (34.02±3.91)mm for the middle-aged group, and(35.2±4.37)mm for the elderly group( P<0.01).The 2D and 4D left atrial parameters across the age groups were as follows: LASr(2D)(%): 37.48±7.51, 30.95±8.23, 26.9±7.56( P<0.01); LA VImax(ml/m 2): 23.54±5.79, 26.33±7.6, 28.99±8.15( P<0.01); LASr(%): 31.2±17.07, 22.5±8.59, 19.49±7.47( P<0.01).Both 2D and 4D left atrial parameters exhibited significant associations with age.Specifically, the correlations between LASr(2D)(%), LAScd(2D)(%), LASr(%), LAScd(%), and age were -0.429, 0.580, -0.354, 0.298, respectively( P<0.01). Conclusions:The 4D Auto LAQ technology is efficient in assessing left atrial function across various age groups, with age playing a significant role in influencing left atrial parameters.When compared to other ultrasound parameters, both 2D and 4D left atrial strain parameters have the ability to detect differences at an early stage, making them suitable for the early screening, evaluation, and monitoring of age-related left atrial dysfunction, especially in the elderly population.

Objective:To investigate the effect of quality improvement (QI) project on delayed cord clamping (DCC) implementation in very preterm infants.Methods:This study retrospectively collected the clinical data and assessed the QI indices of very preterm infants born in the Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and transferred to the Neonatology Department from January 2017 to January 2021. The indices for QI assessment included three types: (1) process indices: the implementation rate and timing of DCC; (2) outcome indices: hemoglobin level and hematocrit, etc; (3) balancing indices: the proportion of neonates requiring endotracheal intubation in the delivery room and chest compressions, Apgar score body temperature, and blood pH value on admission, etc. There were four phases for the implementation of QI, the pre-QI period (January to December of 2017), the QI period (January to December of 2018), the post-QI period (January to December of 2019), and the sustained-QI period (January 2020 to January 2021). The QI project was performed since August 2018. Control charts or statistical tests were used for statistical analysis.Results:(1) Process indices: After the implementation of the QI project, the practice of DCC increased from 0 to 82.2%, and the timing of umbilical cord clamping was from 0 s to a delay of 47.1 s. (2) Outcome indices: The levels of hemoglobin in the QI period, the post-QI period, and the sustained-QI period were significantly higher than those in the pre-QI period [(202.22±28.84), (210.10±33.52), (210.52±32.27) g/L vs. (187.94±35.29) g/L; F=8.61, P<0.001]. The hematocrit values in the post-QI period and the sustained-QI period were significantly higher than those in the pre-QI period [(58.99±8.71) %, (60.18±8.06)% vs. (55.41±9.17)%; χ2=5.13, P=0.002]. The other indices showed no statistical differences in different phases. (3) Balancing indices: The proportions of neonates receiving endotracheal intubation in the delivery room in the post-QI period and the sustained-QI period were significantly lower than those in the pre-QI period [16.0% (19/119), 13.2% (25/191) vs. 42.3% (30/71); χ2=29.08, P<0.001]. The body temperature on admission increased gradually through the four periods [pre-QI period: 35.3 ℃ (34.5-36.1 ℃); QI period: 36.0 ℃ (34.0-37.7 ℃); post-QI period: 36.0 ℃ (35.6-37.4 ℃); sustained-QI period: 37.0 ℃ (35.9-38.1 ℃); H=277.88, P<0.001]. The blood pH value on admission in the sustained-QI period [7.32 (6.85-7.50)] was significantly higher than those in the other three periods [7.26 (7.07-7.46), 7.26 (7.04-7.43), and 7.25 (6.91-7.49); H=34.46, P<0.001]. Conclusion:The interventions in this QI project significantly increase the practice of DCC and enable a longer DCC in very preterm infants.